Ocean Grove Hardware on Main Avenue. Paul Goldfinger photo. October 2020. ©By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor at Blogfinger.net.
So, comes October in the Grove, and all restrictions on boardwalk biking have been lifted. You can ride 24/7. The OG Hardware store rents bikes, but not by the hour. The reason is that the COVID cleaning between customers is too onerous.
But if you rent a bike by the day, then it will be OK, and that is understandable.
But what about the risk of catching the virus while biking?
One academic said, “The best plan for riding right now is to go out, ride solo or with a small group of trusted people, enjoy the outdoors in open areas, and try timing your rides for when you know your route will be less crowded. ”
The rules for bike riders are similar to those who are walking or jogging: masks and distancing. This is from the CDC:
Follow social distancing guidelines by staying at least 6 feet from other cyclists or pedestrians who are not from your household. For example:
Avoid crowded and/or narrow routes where it might be difficult to maintain 6 feet of distance between yourself and other cyclists or pedestrians.
If you see someone moving towards you, stay as far to your right if possible or safely cross the street to avoid passing within 6 feet of another person.
When passing others, leave as much space as possible.
Blogfinger medical opinion: This disease is largely an airborne issue. Being outdoors, especially moving as on a bike, makes the risk less than being stuck in one confined area indoors, as in a restaurant.
But airborne clouds of virus, left behind, for example by the cyclist in front of you or coming towards you, poses a potential risk if you inhale one of those virus droplet clouds, so the recommendations noted above should not be ignored.
We keep hearing about infected individuals who swear that they followed all the prevention rules such as masking, but somehow they got it, so don’t take any chances.
Cruising on a bike on the OG boards may seem free and clear of risk, but still there are risks. Too many are running or biking without masks.
And, despite the Dubliners below, don’t drink and bike (That’s a DWB –drinking while biking infraction.)
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- THE DUBLINERS: